ELSAH, IL – The Principia men's soccer team earned their first result of the season in thrilling fashion, coming back from a two-goal deficit in the second half to tie Rose-Hulman at home on Saturday.
After Rose-Hulman scored twice in the final twenty minutes of the first half, Principia came out with renewed energy and purpose after halftime. Their breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute when
Effenberg Joya stole the ball from the Rose-Hulman defense, cut across the box and fired the ball back across the goal into the bottom left corner to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal energized the home crowd and gave the Panthers momentum as they continued to push for an equalizer.
With time running out, Principia found their moment of magic in the 85th minute. After
Nacho Cachaza intercepted a pass and sent the ball wide to
Christian Tresoldi, he delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Cachaza met it with a diving header to send the ball past the outstretched Rose-Hulman goalkeeper to make it 2-2. Cachaza's dramatic equalizer was the highlight of the night, and the Panthers celebrated a well-earned comeback.
Both teams pressed to take the lead in the final five minutes. Panthers goalkeeper
Rafa Ascencio Garcia had to made several key saves in the second half, including a crucial, point-blank stop in the final minute to secure the draw.
Principia will look to build off the result as they head to Indiana for their first away match of the season vs Franklin College this Tuesday at 7:00 pm ET (6:00 pm CT).
